Cantor clears way for Brat — Friday standings — Ready for Fancy Farm

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BREAKING OVERNIGHT: “Cantor to resign from Congress on Aug. 18,” by the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Markus Schmidt: “‘I want to make sure that the constituents in the 7th District will have a voice in what will be a very consequential lame-duck session,’ Cantor said in an exclusive interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Thursday afternoon. Cantor said he has asked Gov. Terry McAuliffe to call a special election for his district that coincides with the general election on Nov. 4. By having a special election in November, the winner would take office immediately, rather than in January with the next Congress. … Cantor on Thursday reiterated his support of [Dave] Brat’s election bid.” http://goo.gl/gc4hvl

FRIDAY STANDINGS: Here's our take on how some of the most important candidates, campaigns and political players should answer the question: Are you better off now than you were a week ago?

YES: (1) Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker, who got “election-year validation” from the state high court in its ruling for his signature collective-bargaining law (http://politico.pro/1oTRNeb); (2) Nevada GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval, who was shown leading Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid by 10 points in a hypothetical 2016 race — yes, a long way off in political years (http://goo.gl/MS1sok); (3) the DCCC, which tapped a fundraising gusher over impeachment talk and saw popular first lady Michelle Obama, via Web video, wade ever so slightly further into the midterm campaign.

NO: (1) New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is contending with “the roughest stretch of his political career” since 2002 (http://politi.co/1quah2S); (2) Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), whose hopes are not dead yet but who is getting outspent by a challenger aggressively highlighting his abortion scandal in the final days of the primary; (3) Hawaii Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who was shown in yet another poll to be trailing primary challenger David Ige by double digits ahead of the Aug. 9 vote (http://goo.gl/tgRkmE).

As Michigan candidates get fact-checked, Roberts and Wolf slug it out and Mike Honda has a voicemail problem, here's POLITICO's Morning Score: your daily guide to the 2014 midterms.

Days until the election: 95. (Happy first of the month. Peace be upon your inboxes.)

Thanks for joining us. We’re eager for your news and feedback. Does your campaign, PAC or firm have personnel moves to announce? New insights on what works in advertising, digital or voter contact? Email us at etitus@politico.com and jdelreal@politico.com or find us on Twitter at @emtitus and @jdelreal.

** It’s not possible to win campaigns this cycle without having a focus on Hispanics who are 50% of A18+ in 25 congressional districts. Univision connects you with Hispanic voters via TV, radio and digital. Visit: http://bit.ly/1rFJIfr to contact us, and for case studies on how to win the Latino vote. **

TODAY IN POLITICO MAGAZINE: “Stand with Israel,” by Texas GOP Gov. Rick Perry: “Thousands of miles away, it might be convenient to criticize Israel for having the temerity to defend itself against these murderous terrorist attacks. Those of us who have been to Israel and have seen the effects of these attacks first-hand have a deeper understanding of what the Israeli people are being forced to endure. … The United States must take the lead in bringing the international community together to demand the total removal of every missile in Gaza, as well as the complete destruction of the tunnel network being used by Hamas terrorists.” http://politi.co/1saIAyX

— “Pro-Clinton group details talking points,” by Maggie Haberman: “The pro-Hillary Clinton group Correct the Record has put together a memo for supporters and allies ahead of the fall midterms, highlighting seven key themes they’ve identified as emerging from the frenzy surrounding the potential 2016 candidate’s book tour. … The memo seeks to emphasize Clinton’s perceived strengths after a wave of headlines focused on gaffes about her wealth and other controversies that have arisen in her campaign.” Read the seven: http://politi.co/UF88Hq

ON YOUR MARK — “Candidates have little to gain, lots to lose at Fancy Farm picnic this weekend,” by the Lexington Herald-Leader’s Sam Youngman: “[Democrat Alison Lundergan] Grimes is in a real danger zone. A third of voters don't know enough about her to form an opinion and another third have an unfavorable opinion, according to this week's Bluegrass Poll. Any mistakes she makes this weekend in front of a national press corps will be amplified exponentially. But if there is one thing Grimes has proved she can do — in addition to raising money — it's taking shots at [Senate Minority Leader Mitch] McConnell. The trick for Grimes will be to keep her sights trained on the senator without shooting herself in the foot. … The senator has taken a slight lead in a toss-up race, but he has zero margin for error. A gaffe, a misstep or anything that confirms Democrats' and the mainstream media's worst impressions of him, and McConnell could end up back in the popularity cellar with President Barack Obama. Many observers think McConnell, known for his disciplined and fierce campaigns, has lost a step. He needs to avoid at all costs proving them right.” http://goo.gl/Qfs5qI

FACTCHECK.ORG WHOPPER OF THE WEEK: Republican rivals in Michigan’s 4th Congressional District share a whopper for misleading ads that tie the other to President Obama. State Sen. John Moolenaar accuses businessman Paul Mitchell of “lining his pockets with Obama’s stimulus.” That’s grossly misleading. Michigan received funding to retrain laid-off workers, some of whom signed up for classes at a medical education center Mitchell once headed. Meanwhile, Mitchell says “Moolenaar authored the bill to fund Obamacare in Michigan.” That refers to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. Moolenaar chairs the subcommittee that writes the annual health care spending bill, which includes funding for Medicaid. All 26 Senate Republicans, including Moolenaar, voted for it. But he voted against the Medicaid expansion in 2013 — a vote that helped earn him the endorsement of Tea Party Express. The full story, “Misleading Michigan GOP Primary Voters”: http://goo.gl/spo775

QUICK HITS ACROSS THE MAP —

CO-Sen: Democratic Sen. Mark Udall called on CIA Director John Brennan to resign in the wake of a snooping scandal. http://politi.co/UEMwew

CODA — QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Are you kidding me? I’d get killed.” — A New York political operative to POLITICO’s Maggie Haberman, declining to go on the record to talk about the latest firestorm surrounding Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. http://politi.co/UQ5cHZ

DON’T MISS the latest story from POLITICO’s ongoing series All Policy is Local: Energy examining how energy policy issues are affecting the 2014 midterms. This must-read piece centers around Iowa where corn is at the core of the election. Get it here: http://politi.co/1qxCZjg

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** 50,000 Latino citizens turn 18 every month and are eligible to vote. It’s not possible to win many local, federal and statewide races this cycle without having a strategic focus on Hispanics who account for nearly 15% of the Electorate, and 50% of Adults 18+ in 25 key congressional districts.

Those kinds of numbers swing elections, and smart campaign managers and political consultants know it. It’s not whether Hispanics have a voice this cycle. It’s whether they’ll hear yours.